| Nathan Dougherty | |
| Birth Date: | 23 March 1886 |
| Birth Place: | Hales Mill, Virginia, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Player Sport1: | Football |
| Player Years2: | 1906–1909 |
| Player Team2: | Tennessee |
| Player Sport3: | Basketball |
| Player Years4: | 1908–1909 |
| Player Team4: | Tennessee |
| Player Positions: | Guard (football) |
| Coach Sport1: | Basketball |
| Coach Years2: | 1914–1915 |
| Coach Team2: | George Washington |
| Overall Record: | 5–9 |
| Awards: | All-Southern (1908) AP Southeast All-Time football team (1869–1919 era) Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame |
| Cfbhof Year: | 1967 |
| Cfbhof Id: | 1250 |
Nathan Washington "Big'n" Dougherty (March 23, 1886 – May 18, 1977) was a Hall of Fame college football player for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He later became the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee and chairman of its Athletic Council. For this as well as his playing days Dougherty is "considered by many to be the founding father of UT Athletics."[1] Dougherty was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967, and was a unanimous choice for the Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era.[2]
Dougherty played football and basketball at the University of Tennessee. He came to the university from Scott County, Virginia.
Dougherty played guard for the Tennessee Volunteers from 1906 to 1909, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds. Dougherty was a standout in the sport before it became wildly popular around the country. Of the few accolades that were bestowed on individuals, Dougherty was an honoree. He was named to the All Southern team in 1907 and 1908.
The 1908 team was widely considered the best Tennessee football season up to that point.[3] The backfield included Walker Leach. Vanderbilt coach Dan McGugin noted "All things considered, Leach was perhaps the best football player of the year in Dixie."[4]
He was captain of the football team in 1909.[5]
Dougherty was captain of the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team in 1908–09.[6]
Dougherty coached the George Washington University's basketball team during the 1914–15 season, and compiled a 5–9 record.
Dougherty was dean of the University of Tennessee College of Engineering at Knoxville from 1940 to 1956. He was also the chairman of the UT Athletic Council from 1917 to 1956. An engineering building at the school is named after him. The building caught fire in November 2006, but was later reopened.
Dougherty was instrumental in the establishment of the Southern Conference, being its first secretary-treasurer.[7]